I sat behind the rider on a big Harley, hoping I would keep my seat and wondering why at silver-haired and nearly 60, I was doing this.

He booted the kickstand up and gunned the motor. For a split-second we felt weightless. Then the engine's syncopated beat rose up through the frame, and our laughter trailed behind us.

Riders come to the Hill Country for the rocky heights and rivered depths, the feeling of the road racing under the wheels like the passage of time, and the crest of the hill a gateway to mystery.

But finding good routes comes from time in the saddle as much as reading the map. For a road-warrior's view, I turned to members from Fire & Iron Firefighter's Motorcycle Club in New Braunfels, Boerne, Marble Falls and San Antonio. The stations ride monthly outings scripted by “roadies,” members designated to chart routes and lead rides.

The anatomy of a good ride includes hills and curves for fun with a sprinkling of stops at watering holes to stretch the legs and hang with brothers.

These riders respect the Hill Country's winding routes. As police officers, firefighters and paramedics, they've picked up the pieces when riders wiped out. They prefer drinking “iced tea or something” when riding, says Lewis “Roadie” Freeman of the Boerne station. “We don't support much drinking because of the twisty roads.”

They usually cover challenging terrain in the first half of a ride, giving riders an easy route home.

And for those more comfortable on four wheels than two, the routes they suggest still evoke a vacation frame of mind.

Marble Falls to Fredericksburg and back

Distance, time: 118 miles, three hours

Why: “It's beautiful, the best part of the Hill Country.”

Difficulty: Brandon Dempsey rates the segment on FM 1323 as “really technical,” narrow and hilly with gravel edges and “such nice scenery it's really easy to get distracted, come up on a shoulder and slip on the gravel.”

Out: From Marble Falls, go south on U.S. 281 past Round Mountain, turn right on FM 1323. Stay on FM 1323 past RR 1631, turn left on Texas 16. Continue into Fredericksburg, turn left on Main Street, stop at Fredericksburg Brewing Co., 245 E. Main St.

Back: Head southeast on Main/U.S. 290 about 30 miles, turn left on U.S. 281 into Marble Falls.

Note: In March-April, detour from FM 1323 to Willow City Loop to look for wildflowers.

Brandon “Braindead” Dempsey, Marble Falls

New Braunfels to Blanco to Luckenbach, back through Boerne

Distance, time: 155 miles, four hours

Why: Scenic roads exercise the riding muscles, and legendary watering holes give social muscles a workout. Picturesque Hill Country towns are a bonus. Non-bikers may add dining and shopping to the list of reasons to do this trip.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Out: From New Braunfels, take exit 191 to FM 306 toward Canyon Lake. Go right on FM 484, then right on RM 32 and right on U.S. 281 toward Blanco. In Blanco, turn left on Fourth Street/FM 1623 toward Stonewall, then left on FM 1888, right on RR 1376. Stop at Luckenbach General Store & Bar. From Luckenbach, head south on RR 1376 to Boerne. Turn left on Main Street.

Back: From Main Street in Boerne, go right on Texas 46 to U.S. 281. Turn left and stop at the Shade Tree in Spring Branch. Continue north on U.S. 281 and turn right on FM 306 to Hunter Road in New Braunfels. Turn right on Hunter Road, then right on Gruene Road and go down the hill and across the bridge to Bubba's Big Deck in Gruene.

Rene “Roadie” Ortega, New Braunfels

San Antonio to Austin's Sixth Street via Lake Travis and back

Distance, time: 206 miles, four hours

Why: Sometimes you want a different life in a weekend getaway, starting with an easy ride through pretty country and ending in nightlife, where you can walk to bed after enjoying a few.

Difficulty: Easy.

Out: From San Antonio, ride north on U.S. 281 and stop at the Shade Tree in Spring Branch. Continue north on U.S. 281, turn right on U.S. 290 and go about 10 miles to Dally's Down Under.

From there, continue east on U.S. 290 about 24 miles and exit Loop 1 North/Mopac Expressway. Exit toward Loop 360 and merge onto South Mopac. Go left on Loop 360 North. Travel about eight miles and go left on RM 2222. Go about five miles, turn left on RR 620, then take the first right onto Comanche Trail. The Oasis Restaurant is at 6550 Comanche Trail.

From there, go south on Comanche Trail, left on RR 620 and right on RM 2222. Stay left at the intersection with Parkcrest Drive (about eight miles), then turn right on feeder and take ramp to Loop 1 South to the Fifth Street exit. Keep left at fork toward West Fifth Street. Turn right onto West Fifth Street, a one-way street going east and ride about 10 blocks to the Sixth Street entertainment area between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35.